Quilts That Caught My Eye in Cincinnati

Susan Shie's work was what I saw just as I entered the conference center floor.

 This was a shot of the Applique Quilts that were on exhibit....I was quickly approached and told not to take any more photos of them....but this give you a little peak.

 BEST OF SHOW....truly an amazing piece of work/art.

 This is Deborah Kemball and she spent quite a bit of time in front of her quilt answering questions and sharing wisdom about her process.

When asked if she had planned all the flowers in advance Deborah said no she had not.  The vines were laid first and then she added flowers as she felt the needed to be placed.  I found it quite interesting that she said she had most all of the flowers on and it was dull....the quilt lacked something.  Then she added the purple flowers (you'll see them splashed about the quilt if you look) that one color brought the entire piece together.  Isn't that amazing? 

 Can you believe she said she is self taught? I think starting out without knowing the "rules" really allows creative people to trust their creativity and can bring about some amazing work.

 The rest of these photos were taken as I walked through the show.

The front is all done by hand including the quilting....and check out the back...

it was painted...isn't it beautiful?

Many of the close ups were taken so I could look at the details of how the stitches added to the overall quilt.  I'm always learning new things and these were the quilts that caught my eye....I hope you enjoyed walking with me :)

Smiles,
Kelly

WonderFil....Lots and Lots of WonderFil in Cincinnati

So much WonderFil in fact that I had a difficult time choosing.  I wanted to say, I'll take 10 of everything but that's not such a good inventory strategy. 

I had to come back to get the rest of the photos because there were so many people in the WonderfFil Booth in Cincinnati.  Every since Pastsy Thompson introduced me to InvisiFil I can't seem to keep it in stock. 

The samples hanging in the WonderFil booth really showed off the many uses of the variety of threads they carry.

Just look at the detail of the thread on this rooster.  Even the chicken wire is thread.

I wish I had taken more close ups of this sample...it was really neat.  The feathers below is Machine Embroidery using WonderFil  Metallic threads.

I loved this green feather and the multi-color one below.  I'm not this good at thread painting so I guess if I were to use Machine Embroidery on some of my things....I could appear to be faking it a little anyway :)

This may have been my favorite sample.

Vikki Pignatelli was in the WonderFil booth and I was so happy to meet her.  Crazy About Curves is Vikki's new DVD and she was promoting it during the festival.  If you are not familiar with Vikki's work, click on the links and check out her fantastic work.  Vickki made the lilly pad wall hanging on the wall behind her.  It is a great curvy piece and in her DVD she teaches her basic curves technbique.  My friend, Lois, bought the DVD so I got to enjoy it on Saturday night. 

You can't see that these boxes are stacked on top of one another.....I purchased all this thread for my  inventory.  The InvisiFil thread is 100 wt and I have used it for machine quilting, piecing (perfect for low bulk in seams), hand applique and machine applique.  Five new collections were introduced in Cincinnati .... you know I jumped at the opportunity to stock up too.  The new collections include: Luscious and Lovely, Bold n' Brights, Deepest Delectable Darks, Must Have Mediums and Tones That Meld.

I'm curious to know what WonderFil threads you have worked with.  Leave a comment on this post telling me about your experience.  I think it is a WonderFil idea to do a giveaway so leave a comment and you might be the lucky winner of some WonderFil thread on Friday, April 15th.

Smiles,

Kelly

International Quilt Festival - Sharing the fun

Cincinnati is such a beautiful city and I had so much fun...it was like being in another state and I was only 3 hours from home.  I was so excited to meet Lois Grabowski from Lois Creates Blog.  We have been internet and blog buddies and she invited me to stay with her and I'm soooooo glad I did.  It was an absolute pleasure to spend time with her and getting to go to the show together.  This is a photo of us as we entered the show on Friday.

We look so well behaved here...but we weren't always this good :)

Of course I had to introduce Lois to Waldo (Mrs. Rosemary) and her daughter Sue.

We also had the great pleasure of meeting up with Sheila, Kay's Sister.   You may remember Kay is a dear friend from PA who lost her son in a tragic accident.  I felt like I was being greeted by an old friend.  My heart and soul enjoyed all the people this past weekend.  Lost more people to come.

MAENDELEO IMPORTS

Mary Ogwel, from Maendeleo Imports had a booth at the festival.  Mary happens to know the women from the Amani Ya Juu and she was sharing some stories with me.  You may recall many bloggers teamed up with IHAN to raise money for the purchase of a mid-arm quilting machine that was needed last year.  If you don't remember...click here : )

The fabrics stir something in me that I can't describe.  They are foreign in appearance in that I don't typically see these types of designs.  They call to me....like a story unfolding....about another people far from my home with wonderful creative talents...lives, hopes, dreams and families.

 Mary travels selling these fabrics, baskets, bags and mud clothes. 

All our hand made items are made by the women in various villages in Africa. Our goal is to help as many women as possible to get out of poverty.This enables them to educate their daughters, buy food and medicine. Maendeleo owner travels to East Africa more often and trains the women on how to start small businesses

By purchasing any of the baskets, hand dyed fabrics and batiks , you are helping us help the women of Africa to step forward to get out of poverty.
                                                                                Copied from Maendeleo Imports Website

I need another basket like I need a elephant in my living-room.  However, I absolutely could not pass up this beautiful basket.  I will gladly give away one of my baskets to be able to have this lovely basket in my home.  Another little piece of Africa here in Ohio.  Before I die, I pray I get to visit the women who make these beautiful things.  I would love to be able to contribute more ....not only in Africa....but everywhere.  We all need to be able to feed ourselves and our children.  In the larger world it is unfortunately common that women are dependent on men for their well being.  Female Interdependence may just be a way to have a larger impact on our world and its' well being.  

I purchased these fabrics from Mary.  It was a difficult decision I have to tell you....I wanted them all.  Clearly I don't know what I'm going to do with them.....I rarely know what I'm going to do with those "must have" fabrics.  One thing for sure.....I will love what ever I make with them and I will smile when I look at them.

Lots more to post about....more soon!

Smiles,

Kelly

Back from Cincinnati

I arrived home late this afternoon to two little fellas and one big fella who were happy to see me.  Oh I had a ball and I promise I'll post my pix tomorrow.  For now, I need sleep. 

I felt like I visited another state.  Look at the trees in bloom....they even have green grass....not 3 hours north....it is still brown here....few-weey and a few extra e's for good measure.  It was very warm today however....

Smiles,
Kelly

International Quilt Festival in Cincinnati....are you going?

International Quilt Festival/Cincinnati

April 8-10, 2011

Duke Energy Convention Center

Cincinnati, Ohio

Hours:

April 7: 5-9 p.m. (Preview Night)

April 8 & 9: 10 a.m.-7 p.m.

April 10: 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Ticket prices:

$10 daily adult/$8 senior & student/Children 10 and under free with paying adult

$10 Preview Night (includes one free additional day)

$25 Full Show Pass (includes Preview Night)

I copied this from Quilts Inc. so if you did not know about the International Quilt Festival in Cincinnati, OH this weekend you might be able to go and have some fun.

I'll be there and if you are going...call me and we can say howdy :)  If you are not going....I'll take pix and post them to my blog.

Smiles,
Kelly